CROATIA AND ITALY SIGN DECLARATION TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION

( Editorial: --> 9076 ) ZAGREB, Dec 17 (Hina) - Croatia and Italy signed a declaration in Zagreb on Wednesday to strengthen friendship and cooperation, and Italy pledged to actively support Croatia in its bid to enter Euro- Atlantic institutions. The first part of the declaration defines basic principles of mutual relations of Italy and Croatia as countries belonging to "the same geographical and cultural region of Europe and the Mediterranean." These principles are based on documents by the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe, as well as on the general values of democracy, freedom, solidarity and respect for human rights. The two countries expressed their commitment to peace and stability in the region and to implement the Dayton peace agreement for Bosnia-Herzegovina. They expressed confidence that their bilateral relations had been developing positively since Croatia declared independence, and announced that they would sign a friendship and cooperation agreement soon. Italy and Croatia also expressed their commitment to build Europe as a community of free nations and equal states and to improve their bilateral relations and cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, including cooperation within international organisations. "The Republic of Croatia is committed to gradual integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic community by adjusting its standards to the standards of the European Union and the Council of Europe. "The Italian Republic will benevolently and actively support Croatia's efforts aimed at its integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic community." The two countries expressed an intention "to work in the spirit of good will and mutual cooperation in the Adriatic" and "a readiness to promote the protection of and respect for human and minority rights in accordance with the Agreement on Minority Rights," which they signed in Zagreb on November 5, 1996. They also expressed "a willingness to overcome all remaining issues in a positive and mutually satisfactory way, taking into account the wider prospect of Croatia getting closer to the European Union" and "a willingness to continue bilateral activities in the area of historical research to promote future friendship and mutual trust." (hina) vm jn 171748 MET dec 97